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11 APRIL 2022
Celebrate the arrival of spring with colours and flavours!
This winter has been quite hard with plenty of snow about, while spring’s been late in rearing its sleepy head. In short, perfect conditions to get the tastiest spring leaves, keenly sought after by tea aficionados.
The longer the hibernation period, the slower the juices rise in the plants in spring, and the fuller the essential oils in the leaves. This wealth of senses guarantees the tea a stellar quality, producing rare fragrant notes in the leaves, and explaining why the spring crop is so coveted.
Such a yield or First Flush is much anticipated and pursued by connoisseurs.
Those first spring leaves impart on tea a quite singular taste not to be encountered in later crops (which are harvested, depending on the climate, every two to four weeks).
Careful selection of the freshest leaves in this first crop does not however make for large quantities, making the tea quite expensive and also rare.
Each year, from early March till late April, arrive the first available spring teas from the 87 plantations and gardens of Darjeeling, depending on their altitude. Those dark, spring teas from Darjeeling are imbued by vegetable flowery notes quite different from the intensely fermented summer or autumn teas.
April also brings us spring teas from China and its various tea-growing regions of Yunnan, Zhejiang, to name but two. This is the so-called imperial harvest with the plucking of the buds and the first two spring leaves that have just opened, or first flush green tea.
Later on, from mid-April until early May, it’s time for the Japanese spring teas, the Ichiban-Cha, most prized for their freshness and intense Umami, or savouriness, they being the Sencha or Gyokuro teas.
Until these spring teas reach our eager lips, we can recommend you some teas of choice colour and rich flavour to celebrate the arrival of spring:
Dragon Ball (2€/item)
For centuries the Chinese have been weaving tea into the most extraordinary shapes, some of them requiring dozens of leaves. Hidden inside them are flowers that gradually open in the water. These are traditionally made in the remote villages dotting the Huang mountains, in the southern part of the province of Anhui. When the Dragon Ball unfolds, a little jasmine arch stradling a lily and topped with an amaranthus flower is revealed.
How to prepare blooming tea: 1. Heat 400ml water to 80ο C (it should not boil) 2. Place the tea ball in a glass teapot and rinse with a little amount of hot water. Discard the water. 3. Pour the hot water into the pot. The tea ball will slowly begin to open up and reveal the flowers hidden inside. 4. You can re-use the ball 3 or 4 times within a short time.
Fairy Lady (2€/item)
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For centuries the Chinese have been weaving tea into the most extraordinary shapes, some of them requiring dozens of leaves. Hidden inside them are flowers that gradually open in the water. These are traditionally made in the remote villages dotting the Huang mountains, in the southern part of the province of Anhui. When the Fairy Lady ball opens up, a column of jasmine emerging out of a lily is revealed.
Ηow to prepare blooming tea: 1. Heat 400ml water to 80ο C (it should not boil) 2. Place the tea ball in a glass teapot and rinse with a little amount of hot water. Disgard the water. 3. Pour the hot water into the pot. The tea ball will slowly begin to open up and reveal the flowers hidden inside. 4. You can re-use the ball 3 or 4 times within a short time.
Cherry Orchard ( 2,50€/50gr 5,00€/ 100gr.)
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A springtime green sencha tea, flavoured with cranberries, wild cherries and sour cherries. A brew that leaves a clean, almost metallic sensation, with deep notes of bitter almond that highlight the sweet-and-sour aromas of the fruit. Equally enjoyable hot or cold.
Magic Mountain ( 2,60€/50gr. 5,20€/ 100gr.)
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A delicate, afternoon blend embellished with violet cornflowers and magnificently accompanied by creamy rhubarb and citrusy lulo fruit. A tea redolent of lemon blossoms, strawberries and spring flowers. In the background, its presence oh-so faint, the aroma of wet earth reminds us of the origins of the black tea base: Chinese soil.
Earth Song ( 3,20€/50gr. 6,40€/ 100gr.)
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The Earth Song is a beautiful marriage of dried flowers, such as roses and chamomile, and aromatic fruit such as pear, crab apple and strawberry. A delicate, floral brew with sweet-and-sour aromas redolent of springtime.
